The vast, echoing space of the Brighton Wisdom School auditorium was hushed, filled only with the soft sounds of shuffling feet and the ballot boxes. All students stood in lines, moving steadily toward the designated polling booths for the student council elections.
In the middle of the room, near the ropes sectioning off the voting area, Raina and Gabriella stood face to face. They were close enough that the air between them felt cold, like a sharp frost. Their eyes locked in a silent, icy stare-down.
Raina broke the silence with a sudden, brittle laugh, her face instantly shifting to something dark and predatory. "But you can't. I am the queen here. You can't win… against me… in anything," she drawled, her voice low. She laughed again, a sound devoid of humor. "In this election, too."
Gabriella's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "Let's watch."
Raina, seemingly satisfied with her performance, spun on her heel and strode out of the auditorium. Ronnie followed, turning back just before he exited to flash a playful, challenging smile at Gabriella. Then, he was gone.
Gabriella watched them leave, her expression turning immediately cold. As she turned back to the room, she stopped, shocked for a second. Jake was standing impossibly close to her.
She pushed him harder than she intended, but he didn't move—he only bent back a little before closing the distance again. In that brief, charged second, his lips lightly touched her forehead.
Gabriella recoiled instantly, moving several steps backward. Jake stood still, a subtle smile playing on his face.
"What are you doing?" Gabriella demanded.
Jake merely tilted his head. "Didn't you ask me who I voted for?"
Gabriella smirked. "Of course, I know. Raina, right?"
Jake's smile widened, then instantly disappeared. "How did you know? But you are wrong," he said, his voice flat. "I didn't vote for either of you."
Gabriella met his gaze, her face calm. "Liar. Go. Your friends are waiting for you outside of the auditorium."
Jake took another step toward her, his tone completely cold. "Are you really confident that you can beat Raina?"
Gabriella sighed, a flash of annoyance crossing her eyes. "Why are all you guys asking me the same question? Aren't you guys afraid because I'm standing as her opponent?" She smirked, then used a single finger to gently push him. He instantly removed himself from her space, his hands coolly in his pockets.
Gabriella walked toward the remaining open booth to cast her vote.
A few minutes later, she exited the booth. Most of the students had completed their voting and were dispersing. Gabriella was about to move toward the exit when a boy grabbed her hand.
Gabriella stopped abruptly and turned to face him. He had striking black hair, cut neatly in the style of an idol, and was clean-shaven.
"Are you Gabriella, right?" he asked, his eyes alight with excitement. "You are so cool while fighting."
Gabriella was stunned by the direct compliment. The boy quickly moved backward, giving a small wave before turning to leave.
"You…" Gabriella started, confused.
The boy turned his head slightly and said in a lower voice, "In the swimming pool, I saw you."
Gabriella's mind reeled. She had thought no one saw her. How did he see me? She hadn't known his name, but she clearly registered the black friendship band on his hand as he had grabbed her wrist. He was charming, too.
Stepping out of the auditorium, Gabriella made her way to the school's balcony. She pulled out her phone and placed a call.
"Are you done as I said?" she asked.
The voice on the other end—Dona's—replied instantly. "Yes, Queen. I did."
Gabriella smiled, letting her thoughts drift to the conversation they had the previous night.
— Flashback: Yesterday Night —
Gabriella had called Dona, her tone surprisingly cold. "I don't think I can win."
Dona had been shocked. "What? I thought you planned something to win! I can't believe it, seriously, girl."
Gabriella spoke normally, without emotion. "I have an idea. Fake vote."
"What? Are you going to be misleading the election result?" Dona gasped.
Gabriella sighed. "Are you expecting me to go the genuine path?"
"I… I…" Dona stammered.
"I don't think I can win them through the genuine path," Gabriella concluded, a playful smile replacing the coldness. "If your enemy is baddies, you have to choose other than the genuine path to win them."
Dona conceded. "Mmm. I know a few of my friends in your school. Shall I arrange them for you to cast fake votes?"
"No. I don't think they can. Only baddies can do that."
Dona smirked. "Are you thinking I'm only friends with good people? Not at all. I know baddies, too."
"Then… proceed," Gabriella said.
They both smiled, the conspiracy sealed.
— End Flashback —
Gabriella was back on the balcony. Below, near the school entrance, she saw Raina standing next to her luxurious car, casually chatting with Ronnie, who was sitting on his sports bike.
Gabriella stared intently at Raina. Raina, in the middle of talking, happened to look up. Her eyes met Gabriella's. Ronnie followed her gaze and saw Gabriella, too.
Gabriella's lips barely moved as she whispered, "The game begin."
Raina's only reply was a smirk.
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